Mrs. Wills Kindergarten

Kindergarten Lessons President’s Day Week!

President’s Day Kindergarten Lesson Plans!President’s Day in kindergarten can be a bit meh… But last year we were all kinds of excited about it!

President's Day in kindergarten can be a bit meh, but just a little creativity can make it exciting! Read about how we did it!

 
We started off our unit of study with Abe Lincoln’s Hat by Martha Brenner. We focused in our close reading on a select few chapters.
 
 

Abe Lincoln’s Hat discusses how Abe Lincoln had a problem, he kept losing his papers.   So on our first reading we worked on identifying the problem and solution, then we wrote about it.

 
Problem and Solution with the text Abe Lincoln's Hat

 

Identifying problem and solution in kindergarten.
 

 

Problem and Solution with Abe Lincoln's Hat
We also worked on defining vocabulary from the text and using it in a sentence. I like to have the students help construct the definition and provide an illustration of the meaning.  I have found this sticks in their head better than pre-made vocabulary images or photographs.
Tier 3 vocabulary lessons
After reading the text, we discussed the qualities of a good president.
 
Hmm… some of these…
Then, we did a bit of opinion writing with my kindergartners.  With virtually EVERY book we read in our close reading, we ask the students to provide a written opinion.
kindergarten opinion writing
Yes, one of the qualities of Abe Lincoln was that he read a lot of books.
opinion writing in kindergarten
Yes,  Abe Lincoln was smart!

 

opinion writing in kindergarten
Yes, Abe Lincoln was nice.
 
opinion writing in kindergarten
Although this looks like a great response, the reason for her opinion was not very clear.   Once we discussed it, she meant that she would not lose important papers.   Response writing is SUCH a wonderful opportunity to conduct a formative assessment.
 
We also wrote about what important things they would put in their hat.  This one… HA!
Kindergarten making connections
 Here is a close up!  Kills me!
Kindergarten making connections

 

Kindergarten making connections
I would put cookies in my hat.

 

Kindergarten making connections
I would put baby dogs in my hat.
 Even though this looks like a sinister Abe Lincoln, I love the sweetness of his response.
Kindergarten making connections
I would put my mom in my hat.  
 

An alternative text to use from our Guiding Readers Reading Workshop is Duck for President by Doreen Cronin.

Look at these adorable photos from Ms. Harrison at Kinder-Gators!
The students are working on the sentence study portion of the unit.

Duck for President sentence study

 

Duck for President sentence study

 

Duck for President sentence study

 

Duck for President sentence study

 

Duck for President sentence study

 

Duck for President sentence study
 
Duck for President sentence study
And I am certain this is my ALL TIME favorite!
 
This is how every one of my “Pinterest DIY” crafts turn out!
Duck for President sentence study
 

You can find all of these lesson plans and so many more in our Guiding Readers Reading Workshop units.

 
I found these cute ideas on Pinterest!
 
Now… I want a snack!
Source:  Party Pinching
Source:  Lakeshore Learning

Um… just because… sometimes you need a brain break!

President's Day in kindergarten can be a bit meh, but just a little creativity can make it exciting! Read about how we did it!

Here are some resources that are perfect for President’s Day!

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Linda Groce says

    Thanks, Deedee! I'm planning on using Abe Lincoln's Hat in the Guided Readers Series this week when we go back on Wednesday. Thanks for sharing what you did. That always helps! The Pinterest ideas are so cute!! Have a great week!

    Reply

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